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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 08/07/2008 1r tri 4 q A ql t,r,. Oi CITY F co MINUTES te, cm:: m Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History d? a st Advisory Committee Meeting eintgi%P t August 7, 2008 The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum's DeDietrich Conference Room at Noon on Thursday, August 7, 2008. Members Present: Margaret Bolick, GG Gasaway, Jonda Halcomb, Kimberly Harris, Tom Kimes, Jim Moloney,Nelida Ortiz, Luci Sosa, and Linda Tomo. Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Linda Tomo, the minutes of the June 5, 2008 meeting were approved as presented. Business: a. At the last meeting Nelida Ortiz was asked to convey the Committee's concerns to the Mayor and City Council including the need for funding to address the short term actions recommended by the marine survey of the ships and for increased funding to provide a minimal level of maintenance to care for the ships. She also provided Committee members with a draft of comments that she made reiterating the Committee's concerns to the Mayor and Council during the public comment period of a Council meeting. She shared with Committee members the Mayor's written response. He said that"the resources for this task are beyond the reach of the City." However, he"asked the City Manager to develop a strategy that will enable the City to address the short term, emergency measures called for by the Dixieland Marine Survey." He thanked the Committee members for their"service to the City" and their"diligence in bringing this issue to our attention." Jim Moloney provided Committee members a draft of comments that he made to the Mayor and Council during public comment period of a Council meeting on behalf of the Friends. The Friends Board is urging the City Council to address the need for a street connection through the Watergarden and improved signage in SEATown. These measures are considered by Ralph Appelbaum and Associates an essential prerequisite to pursuing implementation of the visualized concept study. Improved visibility and accessibility are necessary to increase earned revenue which would be required to make an expanded Museum sustainable. In response to the Mayor's request, Assistant City Manager Margie Rose asked that he obtain a cost estimate for the removal of the main mast from Santa Maria which is no longer properly supported by the deck structure due to dry rot. This creates an unsafe condition for visitors and makes it particularly susceptible to toppling in high winds. She also asked that Rick obtain a cost estimate for taking Nina out of the water and storing it on land. Wave action associated with storms could stress the hull sufficiently for it to SCANNED break apart and the main mast is rotted and could topple if exposed to high winds and wave action. Rick Stryker reported that Santa Maria was closed to on-board tours due to the unsafe condition of the decks resulting from dry rot. He has instructed Maintenance Supervisor Rudy Mircovich to focus his attention on Pinta in an effort to stop deterioration so that it can remain safe for visitors to board. The salary range of the vacant carpenter position has been upgraded and re-advertised. It should be filled in the near future. It is possible that a proposal by individuals in Houston might be made to repair Nina and take it to Houston for a regatta scheduled for May 2007. A consensus of Committee members present supported this proposal in principle. b. The Institute for Museum and Library Services announced that the Museum is the recipient of a"Museums for America Grant"in the amount of$150,000. This grant will support the acquisition of Voyage:A Journey Through Our Solar System which will be installed along Shoreline Blvd. The Museum is a partner with local public school districts including Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, London, Tuloso-Midway, and West Oso, the Region 2 Education Service Center, Seashore Middle Academy, and Seashore Leaning Center. The total project ($400,000+) requires significant private donations to match the grant and in-kind support from the schools. The project will extend over two years with the first year focused on exhibit fabrication and installation. During the second year Journey through the Universe, a national science education initiative that uses the earth and space sciences, and aeronautics and astronautics to captivate entire communities, will take students, families, educators, and the public to the frontiers of exploration. This addition to the Voyage exhibit will provide national teams of educators, scientists, and engineers who will customize programming and lessons for grades K-12, comprehensive enough to be adapted to a local earth and space science curriculum. Journey also provides ongoing access to educational resources and opportunities. c. Upon motion by Tom Kimes and seconded by Margaret Bolick the Committee unanimously recommend that the City Council include the proposed Museum items in Proposition Three, Public Facilities in the Bond 2008 package that will go to the voters in November. Included for the Museum is $850,000 to replace 8 worn-out museum air handlers that were original equipment 35+ years ago, the emergency generator that has not worked in 15 years, and a number of security and fire detection system deficiencies. e. Rick Stryker reported that: • The experience enhancement programming that is being offered five days each week through the summer are having a positive impact on paid attendance. • The Archeology Field School concluded with some noteworthy successes that will be reported on in greater detail in a forthcoming preliminary report. • The Museum adopted a"9/80 work schedule". Staff now work from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and then alternate working on Saturdays. After a trial period it was concluded that this schedule does not negatively impact programming while there is savings on commuting costs by staff who now work • V 9 days every two weeks rather than 10 days. Staff also enjoy a regular schedule of three day weekends. • The FY 2008/09 budget was adopted as proposed with a delay built in to filling job vacancies to accumulate salary savings. A pay raise for City staff remained unfunded although consideration of an increase will occur in August. • Installation is complete on an ambient sound system funded through the Friends with a grant from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation and income from the Endowment. This provides different background music (or sounds) for visitors in five areas of the Museum. • Trees in the Volunteer Recognition Garden at the south end of the Museum have been trimmed in a project funded by the Museum Auxiliary. • The A/V systems in the Watergarden Room will soon be replaced with more up to date technology and equipment in a project funded by the Museum Auxiliary. f. It was decided that the Committee will continue to meet on the first Thursdays of the month except for January when the Committee will meet on January 8th. There is one vacancy on the Committee and the terms of Luci Sosa, GG Gasaway, and Nelida Ortiz are ending in September. All agreed to continue on the Committee if reappointed by the Mayor. Committee members will be asked to recommend nominees for the vacancy at September's meeting from the applications on file in the City Secretary's office. Committee members might suggest to interested individuals that they complete an application to be considered. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.